Spring Crepes

May16

One of my favorite meals involves crepes. Delicious, buttery crepes. Usually, my sister bakes chicken with Italian seasoning and I cook up the crepes and some mushrooms (for my boyfriend, who doesn’t eat meat). We fill the crepes with the chicken and spinach, along with mozzarella cheese.

Tonight, I didn’t want the chicken, so I tried an all-veggie crepe. I cooked up a few spears of asparagus with a little bit of extra-virgin olive oil. As I began to fill my crepe, I considered (for a second) whether or not to put mushrooms in the crepe as well. I decided against it. Sitting down, surrounded by my family (my sister and her boyfriend came over too), we laughed and swapped stories about our day, even if it was a short dinner. I enjoyed a delicious, rich, and spring-like vegetable crepe.

What’s the point of this story?

I was happy. It wasn’t the crepes. It wasn’t the veggies. It was enjoying such a great meal with people who love you.

Why did I share?

Because I want to know what “little things” made you happy today.

Keep on smilin’,

~Ashley

Remember Your Blessings

Mar28

Remember to count your blessings, every day. No matter how small, they are still blessings. This week is a special one; tomorrow is Good Friday. I haven’t been feeling the best all week. I’ve been slow-moving and incredibly tired for no good reason. I’ve slept a lot and woken up not feeling rested. But then I remember what I believe, what God did for me, and how He’s an active participant in guiding my life. I’ve been listening to Gabrielle Bernstein’s en*theos May Cause Miracles conference, and the main points I’ve been taking from the series of interviews is to never give up, because you are here for a purpose. Every where I go I hear this same message: You are loved and worth it. And sometimes, we lose sight of that. And that’s why you need gratitude lists, prayers of thanks, and countings of blessings. And that love, above all, is the most important. Love conquers all.

Small Kitchen Cooking (SKC) How-To: Iced Hazelnut Mocha

Mar19

Hi, everyone! I’m starting a new series for my recipes called “Small Kitchen Cooking,” (for short, “SKC”) and I thought the perfect way to start it off would be with one of my favorite things in the entire world, coffee.

Now, I do believe that a great cup of coffee from a coffee shop is worth it. But we don’t want to do that everyday, and when you find out how easy it is to replicate those drinks at home, why not try it?

And believe me, this hazelnut mocha is easy-peasy.

Iced Hazelnut Mocha

Ingredients:
1/2 cup strong coffee or 1/2 cup regular coffee (see note below)*
2 ice cubes (see note below)
1 tablespoon hazelnut syrup (you can find these in the coffee aisle at your local grocery store)
1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
1/2 milk of choice (I use 1%)
Container with an air-tight lid

Directions:

1. Pour coffee into a coffee mug. Add ice. Set aside.
2. In the container, add in the hazelnut and chocolate syrups, along with milk.
3. Pour the coffee into the container.
4. Put on the lid, and shake. Shake, shake, shake! (For about 20 seconds.)
5. Pour into tall chilled glass.**
6. If you’re feeling particularly springy or summery, use a straw with an umbrella. Enjoy! :)

Notes:
*To make the strong coffee, here’s how I do it with my basic 12-cup coffee maker: Fill water up to the four-cup line. I add one scoop of coffee (I use a 1/4 cup) per two cups. For strong coffee however, you’ll need to add two scoops per two cups. This means for four cups of coffee, you’ll need four scoops. This is optional. The strong coffee will give the drink a stronger flavor.

** Tip for chilling the glass: place two ice cubes into the glass you plan on using for the drink. Remove ice before pouring in coffee.

I hope you enjoy this and try playing around with it too! Tell me what kind of iced drinks that you like to order in coffee shops, but would like to make at home (or have made at home). I’d love to know! Also, if you’re a tea drinker, try out this iced green tea with apple juice recipe.

Happy Monday!

~Ashley

Beautiful You: Spring in Your Step

Mar12

Spring has sprung! Today it’s supposed to be about 70 degrees, and I felt it was the perfect time to bring along another “Beautiful You” post.

I came along this verse while doing my devotional yesterday morning:

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.” -1Thessalonians, 5:22 ESV

To be the most beautiful you, you have to live with a positive attitude. I automatically knew this verse would put a spring into my step. I mean, how could I not have a positive attitude after reading those nine words?

Living with a positive attitude will put a spring in your step. You’ll wake up feeling light, rather than burdened down. It’s not just about seeing the bright side all the time; it’s just being thankful. Even when you don’t think you can see a light at the end of the tunnel, all you need to do is remember those nine words, or whatever words speak to your heart. It could be a favorite passage from a book, a prayer, a meditation, a mantra, a song lyric, etc. What words put a spring in your step when you feel as if there’s nothing you can do to bring your shine back?

Be the most beautiful you today. :)

~Ashley

Time for tea: Chai latte recipe

Mar1

This week, I discovered the amazing power of the chai latte. I don’t think I’ve made chai anything since I last made this chai chocolate banana smoothie.

Yes, it’s been awhile.

The best part about this chai latte? It’s easy!

What You’ll Need:
2 chai tea bags
1 cup of water
1 coffee mug
1/2 cup milk
1 small sauce pan 
1 whisk
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp- 1 tbsp white sugar
1 large coffee mug
1. Heat water in a microwave-safe coffee mug in the microwave for 1 minute and thirty seconds.
2. Place two chai tea bags in the coffee mug. Set aside.
3. Pour about 1/2 cup milk into a small pan. 

4. Warm the milk on the stove over medium heat.
4. Warm the milk on the stove over medium heat.
5. Whisk in cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar.
6. Whisk on medium heat for about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on the milk. You don’t want it to boil, you want it warm. Taste-test with a spoon and adjust to your taste. (This also helps determine how warm you want the milk.)
7.  Pour milk and chai into large coffee mug and enjoy.

Have a great Thursday night! :)

~Ashley

The Little Things

Feb20

Today’s post is a quote that I repeated to myself throughout the day:

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. ~Robert Brault

Let this quote sink in. Think about the moments that have made you smile. Write them down. Celebrate them!

Have a great night:)

Ashley